Nearing end of his term, Duterte says he did his job: ‘Wala akong ginawang kalokohan’

President Rodrigo Duterte. Screengrab from PCOO / Facebook

MANILA, Philippines — A few months before ending his term, President Rodrigo Duterte—who has also been criticized for some of his policies—said he did his job “at the right time and the proper way.”

In an interview with Presidential Communications Office Secretary Martin Andanar aired Friday, Duterte thanked Filipinos for the continued support and trust he received through the years.

“I’d like to thank the Filipino people, maraming salamat sa inyo for the continued support at paniniwala ninyo sa akin—sa pagkatao ko, sa pagka-opisyal ko,” Duterte said.

“Might be a redundant or repetitious words that you may hear from all candidates and officials pero I can—on my own as president—talagang ginawa ko yung trabaho ko, at wala akong ginawang kalokohan,” he added.

Duterte faced a number of controversies during his stint as the president, such as his bloody war on drugs which has been criticized by human rights advocates and groups not only in the Philippines but also abroad, and for which he now faces an investigation before the International Criminal Court.

The President has also been questioned regarding the country’s close ties with China amid the tension in the West Philippine Sea.

Despite these controversies, Duterte remained popular among Filipinos—at least based on the surveys. In the December 2021 Pulse Asia survey, Duterte scored an approval rating of 72 which was an eight point increase from his score three months prior.

“Nagpapasalamat lang ako na yung suporta ng tao hanggang ngayon… I don’t know if it’s an emotional outpouring but going by the numbers, it is quite huge and until now it surprises me. It continues to baffle me,” Duterte said.

EDV